When people visit Trout Lake Farm, they are often surprised at all the behind-the-scene action that takes place to ensure a steady supply of plant material for Nutrilite® products. They’re also intrigued by all the attention the team gives to research and innovation to stay on the leading edge.
It’s a complex, coordinated effort that brings together the right people and the right processes at the right time. And when you see it up-close and in-person, you can’t help but be impressed.
How does the team make it look so easy?
It’s a dedication to teamwork that should be the benchmark for every successful farming business.
The managers and leaders have worked together productively over the years to overcome more than their fair share of adversity and challenges. Farming, after all, can be a fickle business. You’re at the mercy of Mother Nature, and you need to pivot fast to prevent things from going wrong. Add long days in the fields, often from sunrise to dusk, and you have a challenge that demands everything the team can provide. They persevere, because they are powered by incredible teamwork, mutual respect and fierce loyalty that shows up in all that they do.
I am thrilled that this team is part of the Amway family. I especially love talking with Darwin Hintz as he shares stories of the field workers who make such a big difference for the Nutrilite brand. Darwin is the Technology Manager for Trout Lake Farm and Nutrilite/Amway Global Agribusiness. He’s never far from a camera so he can document the innovations and advancements that take place in the field to share with us.
You can see some of Darwin’s photos here.
I’ve written about Darwin and his brother Farm Manager Phil Hintz in a previous post. They grew up in the farming business. Farming is in their blood, and they know how to do things right.
Here are just a few of Darwin’s stories that spotlight field workers who give their best every day.
Salvador (“Chava”) Ramirez came to the United States when he was a teenager. He has an impressive farming skill set, all learned from the ground up.
Farming isn’t much different than other skills: If you want to get ahead, there’s no substitute for putting in the work. Chava did just that.
His days of loading plant materials into dryers using only a pitchfork are long gone. Today technology is the watchword, and Chava spends his time running sophisticated tillage and harvest equipment and using state-of-the art irrigation technology to keep the crops irrigated without water waste.
It’s not uncommon for Chava to work long hours and go to bed late, yet consistently wake up about 3:30 a.m.
Ask him what drives him and he’ll tell you: “I told the BIG GUY that I am so thankful to be able to wake up early, and be alive. I don’t want to waste the day and I can’t wait to come out to the farm, check the irrigation and see the sun come up.”
Chava’s positive outlook and work ethic is inspiring, but what really sets him apart is his perseverance and willingness to learn new skills.
The benefits of a close-knit bond
Darwin often tells me that the crew members are a close-knit team, and the Aguinaga family is a great example.
During the peak of the season, Jose “PePe” Aguinaga leads a field crew of up to 80 people. When PePe is out in the field, the productivity of the crew shifts into overdrive. He is that effective at executing the plans for the day. PePe excels at maintaining momentum, and has the ability to quickly change fields and adjust techniques based on changing weather and field conditions.
PePe’s wife Isabel works alongside him in the field when she’s not assisting the root washer and dryer teams. She has done so for many years. Isabel had an administrative job, but gave it up to work with her husband in the fields, believing it was better for their family and their health.
Their son Jose (“Junior”) Aguinaga, Jr. has been at Trout Lake Farm East since he was 16 years old, working in all field crew departments.
Junior’s versatility is vital to operations with his focus on keeping track of labor and working in our Amway GAP and safety programs. All this while he stays up-to-date on equipment utilization requirements.
Darwin explains that this type of multi-generational commitment helps create continuity and depth of knowledge so vital to long-term sustainability.
Say no to status quo
Having the right people in place, as well as the right processes, helps us pivot quickly to meet challenges head on.
The team is continually fine-tuning their ways, even in their sleep. “Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night inspired to solve a problem,” says Darwin. “I often write down concepts that become the framework for a new piece of equipment or a new process that can advance our capabilities.”
“One process that we’re fanatical about is meticulous record keeping,” says Darwin. In this way, the team can easily go back and trace the entire journey from seed to plant to ingredient and finally to the end consumer.
Consumers deserve products they can trust, so this attention to detail is a big deal.
It’s all part of a bigger strategy that moves us closer to a better system for soil and plant health. We don’t accept the status quo. Darwin says it best, “If we are just duplicating our performance year after year, we would not have the drive or passion to tell the story.”
Darwin continues to keep an eye out for highlights to share whether it’s during a good day in the field or not. Actually, it’s the bad days when the temperature plummets, the wind howls and the soil scatters that truly showcase the dedication and passion of the team.
The next time you reach your favorite Nutrilite supplement (or recommend one to a friend), I encourage you to think of the people behind the brand, people like Darwin, Phil, Chava, PePe, Isabella, Junior and so many others at Trout Lake Farm. They are a big reason why millions of health-conscious people in over 50 countries around the world trust their health to the Nutrilite brand.
Let’s give a big shout out to the team!
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Inspiring testimony! Love our Nutrilite farms!!
A big shoutout of GRATITUDE, indeed, to each person! You are amazing! Thank you for keeping us informed! Blessings to everyone for ALL you continually do!